Learning Meets Entertainment: The Rebel Leading the Charge Clare Munn, AI and Learning Innovator of the Year, is turning education on its head through edutainment. 2024 CEO of the Year Awards
Welcome to the CEO of the Year Awards 2024 CEO Monthly is proud to unveil the highly anticipated 2024 CEO of the Year Awards, a distinguished programme dedicated to celebrating and honouring visionary leaders who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to driving their organisations to new heights. Now in its fourth year, the CEO of the Year Awards programme was established by CEO Monthly Magazine to recognise outstanding individuals who continuously push the boundaries of their industries. This prestigious accolade acknowledges those who have proven their company to be among the best in its field through consistent growth, improvement, and groundbreaking innovation. The award is judged solely on merit by CEO Monthly’s dedicated in-house team, ensuring that each winner is selected based on a comprehensive evaluation process. Candidates are assessed against multiple key criteria, including company performance under their leadership, industry expertise, previous recognitions, and client testimonials or recommendations. This year’s honourees represent a diverse range of industries and have exemplified the qualities of resilience, foresight, and excellence that define true leadership. Their achievements stand as a testament to the transformative power of strong leadership and strategic vision. CEO Monthly extends heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners of the 2024 CEO of the Year Awards. Their dedication and impact continue to shape the future of business and innovation worldwide. Jo Holloway- Senior Account Executive Website: www.ceo-review.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
Contents 4. BoxMedia Holdings, Ltd: Learning Meets Entertainment: The Rebel Leading the Charge 6. NexPower Energy Inc: Hybrid Vehicle Batteries CEO of the Year 2024 - California 7. Portfolio BI: Investment Data Management CEO of the Year 2024 8. Geotourist: Timeless Travel Technology 9. ViDesigns Ltd: Web Design & Development CEO of the Year 2024 – Greater London 10. Heirloom Computing: Pioneering the Future of Mainframe Modernization 14. Nytro Systems LLC: Leading the Future of AI SEO Search Optimization: Lee Agam the Award-Winning CEO 15. Luminii Consulting: Altering the CDD, Strategy, and Value Creation Sphere 16. Feldspar: Professional Athlete Alvina Chen Poised to Redefine Sporting Sector 18. AXIOCENTRIC: The business advisory helping organizations succeed in the 21st century | Mastering the art of ISOROPIN: A fresh approach to how to lead. 20. SpecialGuestX & Espadaysantacruz Studio: Transformative AI, Human Stories 21. Rvvup: High Performance, Top Results 22. PrüvIT Technologies: Trailblazing Livestock Traceability Solutions 23. Careertegy: Mingke Pan: Breaking Down Barriers in Employment 24. GrowthNectar, LLC: Turning Bold Ambition into Measurable Success via Digital Transformation 26. Clear Sky Carbon Solutions, LLC: Investing in the Future of Sustainability 27. B-Engaged LTD: Be Present, Be Focused, B-Engaged 28. Audr: Empowering SME Leaders with AI to unlock Growth 30. BoxMedia Holdings, Ltd: Learning Meets Entertainment: The Rebel Leading the Charge 32. Billy Richards: Leading with Determination and Innovation 34. RenovationFind: Find the Best Contractors with RenovationFind 35. UAV LATAM: Advanced Drone Solutions Across Latin America 36. OnlyBoth Inc: Unprecedented Performance Transparency 37. 3Pas Studios: The New Entertainment Mainstream 38. Stratify Aerospace: The Sky’s the Limit? It’s Just the Beginning 40. GRI Group Ltd: Guiding GRI Group to Greatness
Learning Meets Entertainment: The Rebel Leading the Charge ©Elisabetta Zucchi Clare Munn, AI and Learning Innovator of the Year, is turning education on its head through edutainment.
CEO MONTHLY / CEO OF THE YEAR 2024 5 Nov24370 On a mission to redefine and revolutionise education through the unique combination of entertainment, leading-edge technology, and the timeless power of storytelling, BoxMedia Holdings, Ltd is an undisputed media technology innovator. Based in London and California, two regions reflecting its progressive nature, BoxMedia is transforming learning for good with its AI-powered education entertainment (edutainment) services. Clare Munn is responsible for heading up this pioneering operation, resulting in her recognition as the AI-Powered Learning CEO of the Year 2024. A beacon of innovation and trust in the emerging field of AI-powered learning, BoxMedia delivers personalised knowledge solutions that stem from the practices of the almost $3 trillion entertainment industry. Blending the conventions and technology of this world-leading sector with a firm commitment to employability and economic growth, the company utilises its core values of innovation, inclusion, and impact to make learning a future-proof, ROI-driven investment – something it is achieving on an international scale. As the umbrella company of BoxPlay, which sees certified learning tools built in collaboration with international talent and world-renowned institutions; BoxLabs, the AI-powered tool making creating engaging and professional educational content and assessments easier than ever; BoxEntertainment, an award-winning film production studio championing female influence; BoxMeta, a deliverer of interactive metaverse worlds; and BoxCreate, which helps smart disruptors to make iconic messages, BoxMedia’s influence stretches far and wide. Its products can today be found in more than 165 countries worldwide. When it comes to AI-powered learning in particular, BoxMedia has been at the forefront of the sphere since opening its doors back in 2018. Leading the charge through the likes of an AI tutor app – a world-first solution created in partnership with fellow education pioneer Pearson in 2019 – the company continues to demonstrate its expertise when it comes to artificial intelligence and content creation. For the latter, the company and its talented staff have even received Emmys, demonstrating a commitment to quality content. “Our early adoption of AI edutainment – starting with Pearson – paved the way for partnerships with the likes of Microsoft. While being a trailblazer invites resistance, we counter this with relentless ROI demonstration and a focus on tangible outcomes.” Right across this operation, nobody embodies the company’s steadfast dedication and upholds its values quite like CEO Clare Munn. Serving also as cofounder and chair, Clare’s expertise lies in scaling impact, nurturing partnerships, driving innovation, and championing the abilities of AI when it comes to closing the skill gaps that exist on a global scale. More than this, Clare – who tells us that she is neurodivergent and has ADHD – knows it is her foremost job to listen to the people around her, be it her team or her clients. Whether she is collaborating with worldleading organisations like Microsoft and Netflix or spearheading BoxMedia’s latest growth initiative, Clare recognises the innate importance of democratising knowledge – as only then can solutions serve purposes greater than the sum of their parts. This is something Clare has witnessed time and again over the course of a diverse career, which has taken her from a leading role in the tech start-up WeWork to creating The CQ Matrix, LLC – the latter of which she remains a board member of. “I’ve always been drawn to convergence and crafting solutions that resonate across cultures and generations, from Gen Z to global leaders.” Given that she has thrived in leadership roles across a multitude of organisations over the years, it is no surprise that Clare has established a robust leadership approach, which is built on the cornerstones of empathy, foresight, and adaptability. As Clare herself explains: “I lead with candour, accountability, and inclusivity, guided by servant leadership principles.” This was not always the case however, and it is only thanks to ongoing self-reflection that Clare has come to fully understand the importance of collaboration. On the back of this, she adds: “I believe a leader’s role isn’t just to steer and manage but also to try and magnify their team’s potential, fostering a culture where innovation, humour, and ROI thrive.” Thus, BoxMedia’s culture demonstrates exactly that, with curiosity and ambition fuelling the company’s daily tasks, proactivity and continuous learning being emphasised, and the reaching of milestones being something that is always celebrated together – resulting in a mission-aligned business through and through. Standing as a united front, BoxMedia continues to be in an enviable position when it comes to navigating the everpresent challenges of working with AI, which itself is evolving constantly. More recently, the rapid adoption of AI and its permeation of almost every sector on the planet is raising questions around ethical usage and data privacy. Clare and her team believe they have the answer however, using critical thinking as a foundation when it comes to working with AI. With an encompassing knowledge of communication quotient (CQ) theory to boot, the team are able to utilise AI to ethically enhance human potential. This is a path that Clare and the team at BoxMedia are keen on continuing to tread going forwards, and scaling the brand even further is one of their primary aims for 2025 and beyond. Leveraging the dynamic and ever-growing AI education market – which is already valued at more than $20 billion – in order to fuel its expansion into more emerging markets, exponential growth is certainly on the cards for this forward-thinking business, which is striving to use edutainment to further redefine how the world learns. As for her own career, Clare remains focused on BoxMedia’s success in the present, expanding the company’s partnerships with more like-minded brands, as well as continuing down her own path of professional learning and development. In the longer term, Clare’s goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders in the worlds of AI-powered learning, edutainment for business, and beyond – something she is to set to achieve by continuing to thrive at the intersection of purpose and profit, benefiting society no end in the process. In closing, Clare Munn signs off by thanking us for the title she has had bestowed upon her, which not only reflects her excellence, but also the success of BoxMedia Holdings, Ltd more generally. As Clare succinctly puts it: “The real question isn’t ‘why invest in AI-powered learning?’ but ‘can you afford not to?’ – at BoxMedia, we’re proving education is the most powerful investment for global economies.” Those who wish to know more about the brand and this mission can do so by following the link below. Contact: Clare Munn Company: BoxMedia Holdings, Ltd Web Address: https://www.boxmedia.io/
CEO MONTHLY / 2024 CEO of the Year Awards 6 CEO MONTHLY / FEBRUARY 2025 13 Hybrid Vehicle Batteries CEO of the Year 2024 - California Jack Chiou, the innovative mind behind NexPower Energy Inc., has earned the prestigious “CEO of the Month” award. Chiou’s extraordinary journey, marked by resilience and groundbreaking achievements, has transformed NexPower into a beacon of innovation in the hybrid battery industry. Here, we celebrate his accomplishments and delve into the remarkable story behind his success. Humble Beginnings and Early Genius Born in Taiwan in 1978, Jack Chiou’s talent for invention emerged at an early age. At just 12 years old, he received international recognition, winning multiple awards, including the IWIEF Inventors & Entrepreneurs Expo in Los Angeles in 1990. These early accolades foreshadowed his future as a trailblazer. In 2002, Chiou moved to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California. Living with his aunt in a modest 50-square-foot room and working as a teaching assistant, he saved every penny to purchase his first car, a used 2006 Toyota Prius Hybrid. These experiences not only shaped his character but also laid the groundwork for his vision of creating costeffective and high-performing battery solutions. From Engineer to Entrepreneur After graduating, Chiou began his career as a software engineer at CCC Collision Repair Software. This role offered him a unique perspective on the automotive industry, particularly the high cost of OEM hybrid batteries. This insight ignited his passion for developing affordable and efficient alternatives, culminating in the creation of his first product: the Dr. Prius App. This revolutionary application allowed millions of hybrid vehicle owners to monitor their battery health and predict battery life expectancy. The success of the Dr. Prius App provided Chiou with the funding and confidence to launch “Project Lithium,” a bold initiative to transition aging hybrid vehicles from Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) to Lithium-ion battery technology. Initially, the project received widespread acclaim, offering customers a more cost effective and efficient solution. However, unforeseen challenges emerged as extreme temperatures and driving conditions began to impact the performance of the lithium-ion batteries. Overcoming Adversity By late 2023, NexPower faced significant setbacks. Warranty claims, safety concerns, and online criticism threatened the company’s reputation and financial stability. Yet, instead of capitulating, Chiou demonstrated exceptional resilience. Traveling to Asia, he sought out battery cell manufacturers willing to collaborate on the development of a nextgeneration battery solution. His persistence paid off, culminating in the creation of sodium-ion batteries tailored to withstand extreme conditions. A New Era with Sodium-Ion Technology In December 2024, NexPower’s sodium-ion batteries are setting a new standard in the industry. Most people don’t even know that Chiou is one of the main forces behind the success of the sodiumion battery. The first dozen prototypes have successfully endured two harsh winters without issue, restoring customer confidence and positioning the company for a bright future. Despite personal sacrifices, including forgoing his salary and depleting his savings, Chiou’s unwavering dedication has revitalized NexPower’s mission. A CEO Who Leads by Example Jack Chiou’s leadership extends far beyond innovation. His commitment to customer satisfaction is unparalleled, personally responding to every inquiry and fostering a sense of community among NexPower’s clients. His handson approach and willingness to face challenges head-on have earned him not only the respect of his peers but also the loyalty of his customers. As NexPower continues to redefine hybrid battery technology, Jack Chiou’s story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs worldwide. His perseverance, vision, and customer-centric philosophy are a testament to what can be achieved through unwavering dedication and innovative thinking. Congratulations to Jack Chiou on being named CEO of the Year. The future of NexPower, under his extraordinary leadership, looks brighter than ever. Contact: Jack Chiou Company: NexPower Energy Inc. Website: nexpowerenergy.com Dec24118 Celebrating Visionary Leadership: Jack Chiou
CEO MONTHLY / CEO OF THE YEAR 2024 7 CEO MONTHLY / FEBRUARY 2025 12 ortfolio BI (PBI) has a mission to provide elegant and scalable solutions to the complex challenges faced by businesses, specifically in the alternative asset management sector. The firm focuses on platform-centric data solutions that integrate software technology, public cloud infrastructure, and IT services, all designed to enhance the client journey and deliver better outcomes. Additionally, PBI prioritizes portfolio data orchestration and cybersecurity to ensure that its clients can operate with confidence in a rapidly evolving market. The core values that guide the PBI team are innovation and client-centricity, while maintaining a strong emphasis on domain and subject matter expertise, and the company strives to be dependable in delivering ongoing solution evolution, ensuring that its offerings are not only effective but also cost-efficient in helping clients achieve their goals. “What truly sets PBI apart in the industry is our deep domain expertise,” explains Jonathan White, the firm’s CEO. “With over two decades of experience in the alternative asset management space, we have continuously used technology to solve specific client challenges. This level of industry experience allows us to deliver tailored, impactful solutions that directly address the unique needs of our clients, making us a trusted partner in the field.” As CEO, Jonathan is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s operations, strategy, and overall direction. His commercial background naturally lends itself to shaping its go-to-market strategy, defining its value proposition, and ensuring the effective execution of those plans. A key part of Jonathan’s role is also identifying areas where PBI can improve efficiency, allowing the technical teams to focus on innovation and delivering exceptional service to clients. “My guiding philosophy is rooted in a clientfirst approach,” he elaborates. “This means ensuring the best possible client experience, from the initial conversation to solution development and ongoing support. Every step of our interaction is focused on creating meaningful value and building strong, lasting relationships.” From a leadership perspective, Jonathan prioritizes empowering his teams, believing Investment Data Management CEO of the Year 2024 Data solution & services financial firm, Portfolio BI empowers buy-side firms to take control of their portfolio and trading data through workflow, analytics, governance & security. We find out more from Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan White, who tells us more about his experiences as a leader as he is recognized in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024. in creating an environment where every employee has the opportunity to grow and thrive. By providing them with the tools and support they need, they can excel in their roles, collaborate effectively, and deliver the best outcomes for clients and the company. Ultimately, his role as CEO is about fostering a culture of trust, innovation, and accountability to ensure all employees succeed together. With a lifelong passion for the commercial side of business, Jonathan’s journey has been one of continuous growth and evolution, with relationships having been central throughout his career, and he believes the key qualities that set him aside as a leader are a combination of emotional intelligence, vision, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. “I strive to lead with positivity, compassion, and empathy, recognizing that genuine connections and understanding are vital in building strong, cohesive teams,” he enthuses. “Being a people person, I value collaboration and always look for ways to empower others to thrive and succeed in their roles. At the same time, I bring a forward-thinking perspective to both employees and clients, encouraging them to think beyond the present and anticipate what’s on the horizon. This approach helps us stay innovative and relevant in a rapidly changing world.” Recently, in recognition of his commitment to the firm and his clientele, Jonathan was awarded with the title of Investment Data Management CEO of the Year 2024 in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024. Now the future is looking bright for PBI, with AI-driven data strategies being a key focus. However, Jonathan shares a few pearls of wisdom from his career for budding CEOs looking to build a strong and capable company. “Take the lead and be at the forefront of every interaction,” he states. “You need to stay ahead, anticipating challenges and opportunities. “Being a CEO is about inspiring confidence and clarity while remaining open to feedback and new ideas. By staying proactive, maintaining a forward-thinking mindset, and leading with purpose, you can guide your organization toward success.” P Contact: Jonathan White Company: Portfolio BI Web Address: www.portfoliobi.com
CEO MONTHLY / 2024 CEO of the Year Awards 8 CEO MONTHLY / FEBRUARY 2025 11 Timeless Travel Technology Geotourist is a personal tour guide for the world’s top travel attractions, landmarks and beyond that serves to build an interactive story map of the world to preserve human stories about places. The firm aims to redefine how people experience the world by seamlessly blending technology with travel storytelling, and to educate people who wish to learn about the world around them by empowering individuals, communities, and organisations to share authentic narratives with global audiences in multiple languages. With its commitment to becoming the global travel guide with utilisation of AI, fostering authentic connections through storytelling, as well as data-led transformation for the industry, Geotourist’s emphasis is on sustainable, data-driven economic growth for destinations. Accessibility is also central to its mission. “We aim to make cultural heritage, destinations, and stories accessible to everyone, everywhere,” explains Shaon Talukder, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our core values - education, innovation, inclusivity, cultural preservation, and user-centric design - drive our approach.” As CEO of Geotourist, Shaon’s role for the team is to set the vision and strategy, drive innovation, and forge global partnerships that amplify its impact. He leads a talented team to expand the platform’s reach and ensure that it stays ahead of industry trends. Every decision that Shaon makes is grounded in the firm belief that every corner of the world has a story worth telling, and that technology should enhance human connection and cultural understanding. “My guiding philosophy is to ‘preserve our human story in our own words for future generations and create an educational landscape that inspires exploration & connection’,” he elaborates. “I’m proud that we are part of the conversation trying to solve some of the biggest challenges in travel and tourism: the preservation of our cultural heritage; overtourism; underutilisation of local attractions, towns and neighbourhoods; environmental impacts; economic growth and distribution.” Shaon’s background was initially in the sciences, and his first venture into entrepreneurship was at secondary school - running the lunchtime film club with a class mate, who was to become a Co-Founder of Geotourist years later. The idea for Geotourist was born whilst travelling with his wife. With just 24 hours to experience Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) in Australia, and having booked a 5-star local expert with rave reviews online, they were beyond excited. However, on arrival, the couple discovered it was the guide’s day off, and had to book an alternative guide. Whilst seeing Uluru was incredible, Shaon felt he was left without the feeling of passion that he had read about. With the rest of the world to explore, Shaon set out to build an audio-map of the world, where people could preserve and share their stories in location, forever. No one would ever have to miss out on experiences all around them and everyone could understand what makes places meaningful. People could travel seamlessly - anywhere - with places authentically brought to life. Geotourist was born. The team behind the brand comprises a passionate group of innovators, storytellers, and technologists who thrive on curiosity, with the culture being dynamic, collaborative, and purpose driven. “I actively encourage a culture of open dialogue, celebrate team achievements, and create the space to push the boundaries of what is possible,” Shaon enthuses. “The spirit of the team, past and present, continues to inspire me to realise the ambition we have for Geotourist.” Of course, it hasn’t always been plain sailing. Few other industries were as negatively impacted by Covid-19 than travel and tourism, and Shaon had to make some challenging decisions during this period. In order to be ready for the industry as it emerged from the crisis, the team decided to use the time to advance its own technology. Today, the travel industry is rapidly evolving, with challenges like sustainability, technological integration, and adapting to post-pandemic traveller expectations. One in five people now use some form of self-guiding technology, with the market projecting continued growth, and therefore scaling the business and advancing its technical capabilities are increasingly important to Shaon. Recently, for his inspirational approach and dedication to bringing travel storytelling to life, Shaon gained notable recognition in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024 and was crowned with the prestigious title of Travel Technology CEO of the Year 2024 – UK. Over the next year, Geotourist plans to expand the platform’s reach through strategic partnerships, introduce advanced features like AI-powered, personalised holograms and predictive travel, and launch initiatives to promote cultural preservation in underserved regions. On a final note, Shaon has some words of wisdom for budding CEOs: “Resilience is one of the most important attributes of a CEO - there are none that I have spoken with that have not faced challenges nor experienced failure,” he states. “Being able to recover from the blows - and to not allow them to derail you - can often be the thin line between success and failure.” Contact: Shaon Talukder Company: Geotourist Web Address: https://geotourist.com/ Jan25011 AI travel app, Geotourist is setting the world ablaze with its futuristic interactive holograms as seen on BBC World, that aim to highlight cultural heritage preservation whilst bringing personalised travel storytelling to the masses. We speak to the firm’s CEO, Shaon Talukder about his ethos and the rationale behind the firm in the wake of him being recognised in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024.
CEO MONTHLY / CEO OF THE YEAR 2024 9 CEO MONTHLY / FEBRUARY 2025 10 As the leading Webflow agency in the UK, ViDesigns designs, develops, and delivers innovative websites for ambitious companies. With more than 300 Webflow projects under its belt, the agency has worked with many global top-tier clients, such as Sage, Tony Blair Institute, Compose, RedBull, ChChing, Thrive Learning, Radix, London Interdisciplinary School and many others. “Whether you’re an earlystage startup or an established enterprise, we deliver exceptional work while having Based in Chiswick, London, ViDesigns is a leading Webflow Agency and an official Webflow Enterprise partner. With vast experience in the industry, the firm is the go-to agency for all things Webflow. We find out more about the agency and its fascinating work as we chat to Vimalan Vijayasekaran following him gaining notable recognition in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024. fun!” enthuses Vimalan Vijayasekaran, the agency’s pioneering Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Having graduated from the Imperial College London with a Masters in Computational Biomedical Engineering, Vimalan established ViDesigns in 2021 and hasn’t looked back since. Having successfully completed several hundred Webflow projects in the four years since its inception, ViDesigns invests in Webflow and the community by developing powerful no-code products that help designers and developers to do more with Webflow. In 2022, the firm further expanded its horizons by venturing into product development and subsequently built powerful no-code solutions to allow developers to do even more on Webflow. “Formly, our first product, is the most powerful multistep form solution for Webflow with over 2,700,000 unique loads each month,” Vimalan continues, telling us more about the offerings of the agency. “Since then, we have successfully launched four more products with over 25,000 active monthly users.” These new innovative products include Flowplay and Flowpilot, all of which integrate all attributes directly within the Webflow designer. This means no more toggling between documentation and the Webflow projects and, with just a single click, web developers can add attributes to any Webflow element. A recent project in which ViDesigns played an essential role was that of Intryc – an AI automated customer support system. Intryc embarked on a transformative journey to redefine its brand identity and digital presence after securing YC funding. Within a tight eight-week timeline, Vimalan and the team at ViDesigns worked closely with the Intryc team to design a sleek, product-centric website that captivates users and drives measurable business results. The end result is a visually striking, conversion-optimised site that sets a new benchmark for engagement and performance. Alex Marantelos, the Chief Executive Officer of Intryc, couldn’t sing the praises of ViDesigns enough. Here is what he had to say about his experience of working with Vimalan: “Incredible team! I have always been disappointed working with agencies, and I was initially sceptical, but Vim and his team are truly exceptional and came through a referral from a fellow founder. Exactly what I was looking for—people who will sit down with us to understand our product, market, customers, and the tone of voice we want to resonate with our users. Their service is the definition of a white-glove service for a bespoke, high-quality website that converts.” In recognition of its dedication and hard work, Vimalan gained notoriety in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024 and was bestowed with the prestigious title of Web Design & Development CEO of the Year 2024 - Greater London. A very worthy accolade which is reflective of Vimalan’s commitment – long may it continue! Contact: Vimalan Vijayasekaran Company: ViDesigns Ltd Web Address: https://www.videsigns.uk/ Web Design & Development CEO of the Year 2024 – Greater London
CEO MONTHLY / 2024 CEO of the Year Awards 10 J Gary Crook: Pioneering the Future of Mainframe Modernization
CEO MONTHLY / CEO OF THE YEAR 2024 11 CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 7 Jul23542 In an era where digital transformation is no longer optional, Heirloom Computing is revolutionizing how Global 2000 companies modernize their critical mainframe systems. Under Gary Crook’s visionary leadership, the company is setting new standards in cloud migration, earning him the prestigious title of Cloud Migration CEO of the Year 2024. We explore how his journey from teenage programmer to industry leader is reshaping the mainframe modernization sector. The Mainframe Legacy The story of mainframe computing is intrinsically linked to the evolution of modern business. Since IBM’s groundbreaking mainframe systems of the 1960s, these technological powerhouses have become the backbone of global commerce. Today, they process an astounding 70% of all global financial transactions and underpin two-thirds of America’s GDP, with 70% of Fortune 500 companies relying on IBM mainframes for their mission-critical operations. Yet, while these systems remain fundamental to global business operations, the application model of these critical mainframe workloads has remained essentially unchanged since the late 1960s. In a world where technological innovation accelerates exponentially, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Heirloom Computing: Bridging Past and Future At the intersection of legacy reliability and modern innovation stands Heirloom Computing. Heirloom was built to enable large organizations to reimagine their mainframe applications on modern stacks so they can be activated as agile assets that can accelerate the delivery of strategic business requirements for the decades to come. Heirloom is recognized by the analyst firm ISG as the multi-cloud leader for mainframe modernization software and for its unique pioneering approach to mainframe transformation. The Heirloom platform enables organizations to migrate their mainframe applications to modern platforms, reducing operational expenses by at least 60% while creating agile application environments that can rapidly adapt to changing business needs. What really sets Heirloom apart is its comprehensive understanding that modernization extends beyond technical challenges. The company’s approach encompasses technical, operational, and cultural dimensions, allowing clients to navigate their transformation journey at an optimal pace while maintaining complete control and transparency. Their proven track record of successful implementations, partnering with global system integrators like Accenture, “Transform with confidence, innovate without bounds” Capgemini, and Cognizant, stands testament to their expertise. A Journey of Innovation and Leadership Now that Heirloom is an established company, Gary Crook’s role is focused on how best to scale the business, and he recognizes that in comparison to the challenges of starting Heirloom, scaling is equally as hard. Gary’s path to becoming a transformative leader in enterprise computing began with a moment of inspiration in a school classroom. At age 13, a chance encounter with a Research Machines 380Z computer sparked a passion for coding that saw Crook spending much of his spare time over the following 5 years in his bedroom coding—a transformative time that ultimately would shape his life and career. Gary joined Micro Focus in the mid-1980s and recalls how one of the founders, Brian Reynolds, built the company on the (many would say) crazy idea of bringing the COBOL language to microcomputers (hence the company name). It took off, and consequently, there were many opportunities to learn and adapt. With the humbling realization that he was not a top-tier programmer, Gary gradually transitioned from regularly coding to leading product development teams. By the late 1990s, Gary was global vice president of Product Development, managing 450 staff across 10 geographies. The impetus for founding Heirloom Computing came from Crook’s growing frustration with the pace of innovation and inability to influence the direction CEO MONTHLY / 2024 CEO of the Year Awards 11
CEO MONTHLY / 2024 CEO of the Year Awards 12
CEO MONTHLY / CEO OF THE YEAR 2024 13 CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 9 of the product roadmap. “It became a ‘put up or shut up’ scenario,” he reflects. This drive for meaningful change, combined with the departure of a much-respected CEO and a second move to California, led to the creation of a company that would fundamentally reshape mainframe modernization. Leadership Through Trust and Empowerment Crook’s leadership philosophy, which he describes as “steer and trust,” has been instrumental in building a high-performing, distributed team spanning multiple countries and cultures. The approach is deceptively simple: hire curious, committed, and brilliant people, make the priorities clear, and empower them to determine the most valuable work to pursue. Gary has been keen to implement trusted leadership initiatives, and he refers to the book “Good to Great”, by Jim Collins, who refers to the most effective leaders as being “an individual who blends extreme personal humility with an intense professional will.” “The most powerful shift in my leadership evolution was the gradual realization that you must let go,” Crook shares. “This means trusting others when you are the one being held accountable.” This philosophy has fostered a unique culture where team members work from wherever they are, at whatever time they choose, with the flexibility to take as much time off as needed. Real Impact, Real Results The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the number of Heirloom in-production clients worldwide today, coupled with the strong team of professionals working with Gary to ensure the success of each customer’s unique journey. Looking ahead, Crook’s vision for Heirloom Computing centers on scaling and innovation. The rise of Generative AI marks a new era for enterprises worldwide, and Heirloom is fully embracing this transformation. Through the release of h/GENAITM, Crook and the Heirloom team are bringing these AI capabilities to their solution and customers. Gary’s advice for aspiring leaders is simple: work with great mentors, embrace personal development through coaching, adhere to your vision, and, most importantly, surround yourself with brilliant people. Under Crook’s leadership, Heirloom Computing has emerged as a pioneer in mainframe modernization. The company’s innovative platform combines the reliability of legacy systems with cloud capabilities and AI integration through h/GENAITM, enabling Global 2000 organizations to transform their mission-critical applications into agile, future-ready assets. With a proven methodology and growing portfolio of successful implementations, Heirloom is showing how legacy systems can drive innovation and create lasting business value for decades to come. For more information visit: https://heirloomcomputing.com
CEO MONTHLY / 2024 CEO of the Year Awards 14 CEO MONTHLY / FEBRUARY 2025 7 Leading the Future of AI SEO Search Optimization: Lee Agam the Award-Winning CEO “At Nytro Systems, our mission is to revolutionize the digital marketing landscape by providing innovative, AI-driven automated search engine optimization solutions that empower both businesses and SEO professionals to automatically improve their search rankings and online visibility faster, better, and at a fraction of the cost.” The dynamic world of SEO optimization and digital marketing search is constantly evolving with the rise of AI technologies such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and changes in the traditional Google search optimization results. To navigate these rapid changes and help businesses stay ahead of the curve, NytroSEO developed a system that automatically and dynamically updates webpage code with relevant meta tags and search queries, enabling both search engines and new AI Ask/search platforms to better understand and rank them. Nytro Systems has positioned itself as a trailblazer in delivering automated SEO solutions that not only provide actionable insights but also perform the optimization work for you. Under the leadership of its CEO, Lee Agam, the company has carved a unique niche in the competitive AI digital space. Lee Agam, a seasoned executive in the high-tech industry, brings unparalleled expertise to the table. With a strong academic foundation, including degrees from Harvard Business School (Boston, USA) and Bayes Business School (London, UK), and a history of technology and patent innovations, Lee’s innovative approach and vision have propelled Nytro Systems to the forefront of AI SEO technology. Speaking on his journey, Lee says, “Founding Nytro Systems allowed me to combine my technological expertise with a focus on solving real-world deficiencies, creating transformative AIdriven solutions that redefine the SEO landscape.” Reflecting on his leadership style, Lee shares, “I believe in leading by example, focusing on continuous learning, adaptability, and empowering my team to innovate. My philosophy is centered on addressing realworld problems that are often overlooked by mainstream solutions, which has been a cornerstone of our growth and success.” Nytro Systems’ groundbreaking offerings include AI SEO automated software that enhances online visibility while reducing manual effort and cost. With the ability to automate metadata optimization and internal linking, the NytroSEO platform enables businesses to stay ahead in an ever-changing digital environment. “With constant updates in search algorithms,” Lee explains, “we navigate industry challenges by continuously refining our AI-driven techniques, investing heavily in research and development, and maintaining a customerfirst approach. This ensures that we deliver solutions that are not only effective but also adaptable to everchanging market demands.” This unwavering focus on innovation has enabled Nytro Systems to grow rapidly, adding tens of thousands of new customers in 2024 and solidifying its reputation as a leader in this sector. “We have experienced tremendous positive acceptance of our solution in the market. The enthusiastic response from tens of thousands of new customers validates the impact of our technology and underscores the value we bring to businesses worldwide,” Lee adds. The company’s success is also rooted in its collaborative and people-centric culture. Lee emphasizes, “We prioritize fostering an environment of open communication and teamwork. By aligning our team with our mission and empowering them to engage directly with clients, we ensure our solutions are aligned with the real needs of businesses.” This culture of transparency and collaboration has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. For aspiring CEOs, Lee offers valuable advice: “Build a strong, collaborative team and remain adaptable to industry changes. Innovation, integrity, and a relentless focus on delivering value to your customers are key to sustainable growth.” Looking to the future, Nytro Systems has ambitious plans for 2025 and beyond. Alongside its core offerings, the company is set to launch groundbreaking new products and solutions. Lee shares, “We are developing innovative automated internal linking systems to enhance website authority, alongside tools designed to optimize content performance and address operational challenges that businesses face in scaling their digital presence.” As the AI SEO Solutions CEO of the Year 2024 – USA, Lee Agam’s leadership continues to steer Nytro Systems toward new heights. By blending cutting-edge technology with a customer-centric approach, the company is transforming the SEO and digital marketing landscape, ensuring businesses are equipped to succeed in an ever-evolving digital world. “Our focus will be on continuous innovation and delivering value to our clients to maintain our competitive edge.” If you’re seeking a transformative AI-driven SEO platform to enhance your online presence and visibility, Nytro Systems is ready to partner with you on your journey to success. Contact: Lee Agam Company: Nytro Systems LLC Website: https://nytroseo.com/ Jan25021 With a mission to redefine the future of SEO solutions, Nytro Systems is empowering businesses and digital marketing firms through its pioneering AI-driven automated SEO software and digital marketing solutions. CEO Lee Agam, recently recognized in our CEO of the Year Awards 2024, shares his vision, strategies, and contributions to the industry.
CEO MONTHLY / CEO OF THE YEAR 2024 15 CEO MONTHLY / JANUARY 2025 20 Dec24012 With a mission to become the trusted adviser of choice for its clients, Luminii Consulting has redefined excellence in Commercial Due Diligence (CDD), strategy, and value creation. With an unwavering commitment to transparency, honesty, and pragmatic advice, the firm has built a powerhouse team that delivers unmatched insights and results. At the helm of this remarkable success is CEO Lushani Kodituwakku, whose visionary leadership has earned her the prestigious title of Market Research & Growth Strategy CEO of the Year 2024 – London. corporates, banks, and SMEs to help them throughout their business endeavours. To date, Lushani has helped over 500 businesses in their growth and investment strategies across the UK, Europe, and the USA, giving her a rich background of experience when guiding her team at Luminii Consulting to success. Lushani Kodituwakku’s career is a testament to strategic vision and leadership. During her early years at Grant Thornton, she established a formidable foundation by setting up the firm’s Strategy and Commercial Due Diligence (CDD) team. Building on this success, she played a pivotal role as Managing Partner for Neovian Partners, spearheading the French firm’s UK operations. In 2017, Lushani took her expertise to new heights by founding Luminii Consulting, a firm dedicated to delivering exceptional value in strategy and CDD. Her impressive journey also includes key leadership roles as a Director at PMSI Consulting and contributions to the strategy teams at KPMG and Frost & Sullivan, cementing her reputation as a leader in the field. Lushani’s career continues to blossom as she pours her heart into helping others from her entrepreneurial and leadership position which began in 2008 at Grant Thornton. Overall, Lushani’s advisory services, leadership skills, and experience within the realm of CDD, strategy, consulting, and value creation have led her to achieving great things for herself and others. She is deeply driven by a desire to foster inclusive team cultures and a passion for the services she provides to clients, and Lushani is dedicated to doing all she can so that businesses can work together in a seamless nature and achieve all they set out to do. As an influential and inspiring businesswoman, entrepreneur, and role model for others aspiring to rise to the challenge of being a leading consultant, Lushani has been featured in a plethora of media outlets, podcasts, and industry events, as well as receiving several notable awards. She has been bestowed with many awards that truly reflect her contribution to market research and intelligence throughout the UK, and we’re delighted to be a part of her recognition as we present her with her title of Market Research & Growth Strategy CEO of the Year 2024 – London. Furthermore, Lushani has also been part of a London Stock Exchange quoted group – the board of Judges Scientific plc. – to support the acquisition and development of scientific instrument business portfolio with a market cap of c.£600 million. This moment in time was a monumental achievement for Lushani, and a feat to be celebrated. Reflecting on her journey, Lushani shared, ‘As a leader in my industry, I believe my ability to deliver exceptional results while fostering a collaborative and intellectually rigorous approach has been key to my success. What truly sets me apart is my deep sectorspecific expertise, coupled with an unwavering passion for continuous learning and innovation. This combination allows me to craft pragmatic, high-impact solutions tailored to the unique challenges of each client.” For the future, Lushani is set to focus on growing Luminii Consulting to its next phase. She says, “I also hope to take the first steps in looking to expand Luminii to other geographic locations globally.” Taking one day at a time, Lushani is consistently working on doing all she can to be the best version of herself to continue her positive impact on those around her. This is something she is deeply passionate about as she comments, “My advice for budding CEOs is to focus on fostering a culture of trust and collaboration and leading by example. Always prioritise strong relationships with your team, value their input, and empower them to thrive. Be adaptable, continuously learn, and remain open to new ideas, while staying true to your vision. It’s important to lead with integrity and authenticity. Ultimately, leadership is about serving others and inspiring them to be their best.” Contact: Lushani Kodituwakku Website: www.luminiiconsulting.com Altering the CDD, Strategy, and Value Creation Sphere Built on the core values of integrity, collaboration, and excellence, Luminii Consulting has become a valued partner to many clients since its establishment. With its ability to build trust, deliver highquality work which exceeds expectations, and establish long-term relationships, Luminii Consulting is an unwavering force within the world of strategy, value creation, and CDD. As Luminii Consulting’s Founder, Lushani has over 25 years of experience in delivering complex strategy, value creation, and CDD projects across a spectrum of clients. From private equity to venture capital, Lushani has worked with multinational
CEO MONTHLY / 2024 CEO of the Year Awards 16 CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 12 Professional Athlete Alvina Chen Poised to Redefine Sporting Sector he running track is an iconic setting that has been long synonymous with athletic events. That being said, while the rest of the sports world has advanced significantly through emerging technologies and scientific knowledge, the modern synthetic running track is an aspect that has been largely unchanged since their first introduction in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Then, these tracks revolutionised the sport and provided runners with a more consistent and durable surface in comparison to the cinder tracks used before. In the decades that have followed, the materials and construction techniques have improved to ensure better performance and safety, but the fundamental concept of synthetic running tracks has remained the same. To the keen observer, this seemingly limited field of athletics actually highlights a significant window of opportunity for the innovative; the world of synthetic running tracks is brimming with unbridled potential. With advancing digitalisation, improving performances, and an increasing understanding of wellness, the industry has never been in a better position to transform the field and push athletics towards a new era. Enter Alvina Chen – a creative visionary leveraging her expertise to address this challenge head on. A professional track and field athlete, Alvina fell in love Jan25019 Every element matters in the competitive world of athletics, right down to the flooring. While there have been numerous advancements in footwear, clothing, and accessories to enhance athletic performance, the true potential of flooring remains unrealised. Feldspar is an innovative company revolutionising athletics with cutting-edge flooring and sensor technology to develop the world’s first integrated smart flooring system. The company is helmed by Founder and CEO Alvina Chen, an industry visionary who has been recognised for her ingenuity in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024. We speak to Alvina below to learn more about the CEO’s journey to success. T with the sport when she was just 12 years old and has been melding her love for her athletics with her entrepreneurial spirit ever since. She spent a decade competing around the world as a professional athlete, often working alongside world-class coaches, athletes, and the most cutting-edge technologies available. Throughout this experience, Alvina continually wondered how she could help to create a better pathway for professional athletes and digitise the sport to enhance live fan engagement. Alvina’s athletics career had progressed significantly, but this success was prematurely halted in 2020 with an unexpected diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, or MG. This chronic autoimmune disease causes extreme muscle weakness and impacted Alvina’s daily life for several years. Following three years of dedicated recovery, Alvina decided to reignite her passion once again and re-enter professional athletics. This time, she would explore more ways to train efficiently and reduce fatigue. Being more conscious of her health, Alvina quickly spotted a limitation to the field; while running shoes and training methodologies had certainly improved over the years to allow athletes to run faster and further, the track surface itself had not seen similar evolution. As she unravelled this thought, it became clear to Alvina that there was an unrealised potential in the industry to redefine athletics by reinventing the track, enabling faster speeds and mitigating fatigue to create a better experience for athletes and fans alike. As a result, Alvina founded Feldspar in 2024 and has since worked tirelessly in her mission of revolutionising the global athletics industry through the integration of advanced flooring techniques. The pioneering product combines advanced technology built into the floor, measuring footsteps as runners travel the track. This is combined with camera methods to capture data on stride, speed, and various
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